Expert travel storyteller Jordan Adkins, founder of InspiredByMaps.com, brings a decade of adventures across 101 countries and 450+ UNESCO sites into rich, off-the-beaten-path narratives, melding ecological expertise with genuine, seasoned travel insights. His full bio can be found here.
There are many perks to solo travel. However, when you’re going to the beach, you run into a major problem. If you want to take a dip in the water, you will have to leave your stuff unprotected. Anyone could come along and steal your phone or wallet.
Financially, this may not be such a massive problem. Renters insurance covers your personal belongings from theft while you’re abroad. If your stuff gets stolen, you can put in a claim immediately. But it will still be very frustrating nonetheless, especially if you need your phone to get around and your wallet to pay for things.
The good news is that you can go swimming in the sea while at the beach alone without falling victim to theft. However, you may have to make some compromises.
Leave Your Stuff Behind
If you are staying in a hotel or Airbnb near the beach, you may be better off leaving all of your stuff behind. You can put your wallet, phone, and other expensive devices in the safe. You can leave the key with the receptionist or in a lock box. By doing so, you will be most at ease.
Of course, this is not a great solution if you want to use your phone to listen to music or read, or you need money for snacks and drinks on the beach.
Find A Locker
Many beaches have lockers that you can use, either for free or for a small fee. You can take your phone and wallet onto the beach and put them in the locker when you are ready for a dip in the water. Make sure that any locker you use is not too flimsy. It should be lockable with a code of at least 4 digits.
This is perfect if the locker is not too far from where you are sitting and it is not inconvenient to walk to and fro. Unfortunately, not all beaches have lockers.
Go To A Beach Club
The most comfortable solution is also the most expensive. If you go to an exclusive beach club, your items are unlikely to get stolen while you’re in the water. Other beachgoers are also paying for the privilege of using this beach, and the staff are highly unlikely to risk stealing from a patron.
At a good beach club, you can swim, fall asleep, or even go for a walk without any worries. This is one of the main reasons people are willing to pay high prices for beach clubs.
But what if none of these options suit you? Let’s say there is no beach club, no locker, and you need your phone and wallet with you. Can you actually enjoy the beach without the constant anxiety that someone will steal your things?
Get A Waterproof Pouch
You can go swimming alone without having to worry about theft. In most coastal locations, it is easy to find a place selling small waterproof pouches. These seal completely, and you can use them to take your phone and wallet into the sea with you. It’s not the most comfortable solution as you will have to constantly ensure it will not get carried away, but it does allow you to have that refreshing swim while solo at the beach.
Don’t Ask A Stranger To Keep Watch
As tempting as it might be to ask a stranger sitting near you to keep an eye on your stuff while you swim, this is not a good solution. They may be extremely responsible and take the safety of your things very seriously. But this may be a major spanner in the works of their own relaxing beach time. Instead of being able to lie back and close their eyes or go for a stroll by the water, they’re stuck looking after your things.
You can enjoy the beach alone while traveling solo. Ideally, you won’t have to take your valuables to the beach with you. But even if you do, there are ways to protect them.
